[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6351286,"mediaKeyId","2230475-5759fe0223504dfe3effda2649e4cd50","parentId",2230475,"title","Council approves consent agenda including sanctuary reaffirmation, tax-exemption changes and appointments; ethics-board vote 10-1","audioSeconds",4472,"startMs",593000,"endMs",5065000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2230475-5759fe0223504dfe3effda2649e4cd50&start=593&end=5065","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2230475-5759fe0223504dfe3effda2649e4cd50/thumbnail_593000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6351286/New-York/Council-approves-consent-agenda-including-sanctuary-reaffirmation-tax-exemption-changes-and-appointments-ethics-board-vote-10-1","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6351286-d431a0d93cd74d4dc9fe77f71972cdbd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151514&Signature=G037gpuBTF31aTIIhJkXZeKFLkZQCaGXV2Lix66-Ci~7YLhV4gve8UPQosrsEGGISD8gKUBxNWvSZDi72~fhtPv69wRkccZh-QkKdXt2LXK2bjN92Yz3zCMD7D-eVFy~oQmBYloRWwXKSggUjEDC5IQkSqmDeDbhzk3KNum2deKHx1t7UXXiGu2IfsFVlKXLrT7ZSR--kBL9K4l55dtDRsFB3Fz2QzHNJ5Y5MpTS1ConGRJO8KeEj4Wi9aVn30ETA5wDFKniy4Mct-GOc8IhZojAnox0hCCKuOH9Q0lk45GySHDcswd7x0zi6zVJTLhlK-bmsWb8xxQZsO29XXlfDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ithaca City","date","2025-02-05T22:59:01Z","article","Ithaca — The Ithaca Common Council on Feb. 5 approved a consent agenda that included reaffirming the city’s sanctuary policies, passed local tax-exemption changes and confirmed several appointments and search-committee memberships.

Highlights

Votes at a glance

- Approval of January 8, January 15 and January 22 meeting minutes: motion moved by Alderperson Saint Perez, seconded by Alderperson Shapiro; outcome: carries (recorded as 10 in favor in the meeting announcements).

- Consent agenda (which included the sanctuary-city reaffirmation): moved and seconded by council; outcome: carries unanimously (no recorded opposition) as part of the consent process.

- Local law amending Article 5 of Chapter 300 of the Ithaca City Code (disability exemption expansion): mover stated as Alderperson Letterman; second not clearly specified in the record. Vote: roll-call recorded as yes — 11; outcome: adopted.

- Ordinance amending Article 1 of Chapter 300 of the Ithaca City Code (senior-citizen partial tax-exemption income threshold increase): mover and second recorded on the floor; outcome: carried unanimously (no recorded opposition).

- Appointment to TCAT board: Mayor’s recommendation of Professor Nick Klein (Cornell University) to fill the city-representative vacancy for a three-year term ending Dec. 31, 2027; outcome: carried unanimously.

- Search committees: mayoral appointees to the city-controller hiring committee and the superintendent of public works searches were approved as named (controller search committee: Mayor, Alderperson Wynne, Alderperson Fabrizio; public-works search: Alderpersons Haynes Sharp, Saint Perez and Letterman); outcome: carried unanimously.

- Appointment to the Ethics Advisory Board: Lisa Nicholas nominated to fill a seat; the council voted in favor; result: carried 10-1 with Alderperson Brown recorded as opposed.

- Motion to enter executive session regarding a potential real-estate transaction: moved and seconded on the floor; outcome: carried unanimously; council stated no vote would follow the executive session.

Meeting procedure notes

Several items were handled by roll call and recorded votes; the disability-exemption local law passed on a roll-call vote (the meeting transcript recorded each member voting yes). The ethics-board appointment drew the only recorded dissenting vote (Alderperson Brown) and an unsuccessful motion to reconsider that appointment.

All motions, roll-call outcomes and appointments described above are recorded in the meeting transcript and were announced on the public record at the Feb. 5 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","02-05-2025 Common Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At its Feb. 5 meeting the Ithaca Common Council approved its consent agenda — including a sanctuary-city reaffirmation — passed two local tax-exemption measures and confirmed several appointments and search-committee memberships. The appointment to the ethics advisory board passed 10-1.","taxTitle","Ithaca City, Tompkins County, New York","taxId",52738,"location","New York","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6351291,"Neighbors press council over industrial car-wash noise, cite planning-board process failures",482,2128000,2610000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2230475-5759fe0223504dfe3effda2649e4cd50&start=2128&end=2610","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2230475-5759fe0223504dfe3effda2649e4cd50/thumbnail_2128000.jpg","/articles/6351291/New-York/Neighbors-press-council-over-industrial-car-wash-noise-cite-planning-board-process-failures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6351291-9c9ce9b7319caa807008e6ebb2714418/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151514&Signature=nzWNCp~6VMRULwGsZTirNSYDevw~mFBvHWAlBGVZ3WrSIPPJDmCKr-dlyJlR3BO-UPOaQQpk7cdSWZI~88CbnMW-Py6sD5cIY4FnVWV8hb7GkBbRi1f0luj883AvQ5xn2H8te5ZJUSrfCJZFLJ9s9oJLGbQ4ohWS1Iof2Zf2LbnQqTkdRM9JY5NQQ5195vIzgfEwTy7N5siWzxb4HzKnkmV4VDPbtmyJxtREXtxZ8iNQKPk6bf10CV~XaYzkiGW2OdNs7wkWE4zzS4-ZPpfwtBkrI9h9O7SKCiNHMg12beUc3iQNf0cyQxpjOi-5m2Abc0xa1xwyA-oLRD6vaRn52A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ithaca — Multiple neighbors told the Ithaca Common Council on Feb. 5 that an industrial car wash near Wegmans operates loud vacuum cleaners that violate the city’s noise standards and that the planning process has left nearby residents with limited remedies.

Meg Pritchard, who identified herself as a resident with two children, listed what she said were 11 code-related noise factors and said the business owner initially ran vacuums 24 hours a day. “We live in a place where we're not allowed to have any peace because there's industrial car wash vacuums,” Pritchard said, and asked the council to push for enforcement and remedy.

Andrew Lunn, who said he has lived across the creek from the car wash for more than 15 years, described “an unbearable high pitched sound” from six industrial vacuums that run at roughly four-minute intervals from about 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., seven days a week. He said his children now spend less time outdoors because of the noise.

Adam Chandler said he circulated a petition signed by 35 neighbors and asked the council to review the planning-board process. “It appears in the planning board process there doesn't appear to be a way for when mistakes are made in the approval process for the city to then go back and redress the harms that are caused,” Chandler said.

Speakers urged clearer notification to affected residents and corrective action when approvals lead to negative neighborhood impacts. Council members acknowledged ongoing planning-board review and said the planning board had been working to notify additional nearby residents.

No enforcement action was taken at the meeting; residents were told they may submit written comments and continue to work with planning staff and the planning board.","Residents complained about noise from an industrial car wash near Wegmans and called for the city to correct planning and notification shortcomings. Speakers said vacuums run at high volume, disturbing nearby households and preventing outdoor time for children.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6351296,"Advocates press council for water, services at sanctioned encampments; city names response coordinator",3546,2009000,5555000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2230475-5759fe0223504dfe3effda2649e4cd50&start=2009&end=5555","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2230475-5759fe0223504dfe3effda2649e4cd50/thumbnail_2009000.jpg","/articles/6351296/New-York/Advocates-press-council-for-water-services-at-sanctioned-encampments-city-names-response-coordinator","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6351296-4b1b8b3828776789debe48a8ec7786a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151514&Signature=Ji7hUE~-vVaYlbk0VZeADfe45ocQViv3Lc~rslX3aazThnDrfjiKrzvZ5zOX4990yi9dZPSLrbwKl5lbUYBIdspF2OWF7W~~mqBPlWZMTQ-rEFppnTxoNWzxSWRcTxr3-OkLWfC8NRO3JFxeGMtZnVSvm4u4Dh5ADSHdw0s8vz2NXgzUzxnKgm4t51FN11baFKOY7yOp-KdLxHS7g2ugg-WImavRLKu6b2bmV27dZWPyZk5yBLd4glLUYribrOr~OyfZSjVOMr5lrTDapDJwTv7a5yo23iSmyG1Ivr1xUSISCyi1pdN26pz4T~Ifb6vE2ZyXWPjouBkPaGGI-Kmb3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ithaca — Community members and service providers told the Ithaca Common Council on Feb. 5 that sanctioned encampment sites lack basic services and urged immediate fixes, including a permanent water source and better outreach; the city announced a new encampment response coordinator.

Theresa Fulton, coordinator of the mutual-aid food-sharing cabinets and vice chair of the Tompkins County Human Rights Commission, told the council a sanctioned encampment near Walmart lacks drinking and washing water and that volunteers currently deliver and refill plastic jugs. “A faucet would be a huge benefit,” Fulton said, adding that the plastic waste created by jug deliveries is “notable” and that people and animals at the encampment have nearly no source of water.

Fulton said the council previously approved a plan in September 2023 to create a sanctioned homeless encampment with bathrooms and showers, but that putting those facilities in place has been difficult. She warned that without basic services, unhoused people are unlikely to move to sanctioned areas.

Members of the Tompkins County Housing Justice Collective and other advocates urged the city to address both urgent conditions and the structural causes of homelessness. Cassandra Ponton, speaking for the collective, recounted the death of Roland Hoyt, a 60-year-old Ithaca resident found unconscious while sleeping outdoors in December; local advocates said outreach and publicity about code-blue shelter locations had been inadequate and that some unhoused people avoid shelters because of safety or dignity concerns.

At the meeting the city manager announced that Kanish Fatima has been hired as the city’s encampment response coordinator and that a working-group advisory committee would provide oversight and recommendations. Council members characterized the body as a working-group advisory committee (not a formal permanent committee) and said appointments and further details had been discussed in prior meetings.

Opinion among speakers varied on the merits of sanctioned sites. Zach Wynne, a resident who raised concerns about a person later arrested in Ithaca, argued that sanctioned areas lacking infrastructure can be “dangerous” and suggested the council consider whether maintaining unsanctioned encampments is more harmful than ending them.

Advocates recommended steps the council could take quickly: install a potable spigot or faucet with automatic shutoff, improve signage and outreach about shelter access, and coordinate county and city agencies to increase trust and service uptake among people who remain reluctant to enter shelters.

Council members and staff said they would continue work through the advisory group and through city-county coordination. The appointment of Fatima and the advisory working group follow prior council directives to create a coordinated encampment-response plan.","Speakers at the Feb. 5 Ithaca Common Council meeting urged immediate services for sanctioned homeless encampments, including a potable water source. The council confirmed an advisory working-group appointment and named Kanish Fatima as encampment response coordinator.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6351301,"Ithaca council reaffirms sanctuary policies after federal enforcement action; residents press for clearer protections",4997,113000,5110000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2230475-5759fe0223504dfe3effda2649e4cd50&start=113&end=5110","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2230475-5759fe0223504dfe3effda2649e4cd50/thumbnail_113000.jpg","/articles/6351301/New-York/Ithaca-council-reaffirms-sanctuary-policies-after-federal-enforcement-action-residents-press-for-clearer-protections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6351301-3cec36cf179aa75ce5e50562b821f876/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151514&Signature=EEixkG4NP9l6KFBTCA2d72R4r9DBd3kSsfnnL~q-FHzbi-KmGdKPZbYpswIbEZh5zxgMd1aXxg07K4ilEloxe0evgSKHfHG1kVkgDXruKxi4kPfSyVbWTfV4nub2g52rHsyK9v17iDyddYDsLR-xbepQg76pP~KG2xair0yRn3MO9VrxPREG6usZ3cjEJQRw9gZduyVGscWgZQZG0iAYEvjWPuidFcgC--Zsk-Q5nnBmkZsLvTIyOP5AkCs2u9qgQUNpno~YZy3ldrlsH8lTZO1F0NxkdK-BAoaH1C9Ho88SI0u-hI6txfrq4YXm0wOF8DBeNaQ14yHM5UX9iI~KDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ithaca — The Ithaca Common Council on Feb. 5 unanimously reaffirmed the city’s sanctuary policies as residents filled the public-comment period to urge stronger, actionable protections after a recent federal immigration enforcement action in the city.

Mayor Cantalmo opened the meeting by describing the city’s legal stance and values. “The city of Ithaca has an unambiguously clear policy around nondiscrimination and protection for migrants, undocumented Americans, reproductive care, and gender affirming care,” he said, adding the council would reaffirm those policies that night. He framed the city as an independent government actor that “adheres to its obligations under The United States Constitution, the Constitution of the State of New York, and our own laws and ordinances.”

The reaffirmation came after public comment from more than two dozen residents, students, religious leaders and service providers who described fear and disruption in their communities following the appearance of federal immigration officers in Ithaca. Speakers called on the council to back the resolution with concrete actions: training for police and city staff, clearer written policies available in multiple languages, limits on private surveillance data sharing, and stronger coordination with county agencies.

“I urge the city to reaffirm its sanctuary status. This has never been more important than it is now,” said Hannah Shvitz, who identified herself as an Ithaca resident. “We must be proactive and creative in the action that we take to keep our neighbors safe.”

Adam Hart, speaking on behalf of the Communist Party USA, said reaffirmation alone would not suffice. “All staff and police must be trained to let them know what they can and can't do when federal enforcement around these issues comes down on us,” Hart said, and urged limits on private surveillance-data retention and access.

Several speakers rooted their appeals in personal experience. Maria Lima Valdez said her parents are undocumented and described the fear families feel: “I know what it is to grow up with the fear that your parents are gonna be taken away.” Reverend Dr. David Caden, senior minister at First Congregational Church, said his congregation had provided sanctuary housing to two families and urged the council to reaffirm the policy as a moral duty.

Local educators and service providers described immediate consequences for students and patients. Catherine Sonera, president of the Ithaca Teachers Association, told the council nearly 600 teachers worry students are too frightened to attend school or to speak about their families. A registered nurse who provides reproductive and gender-affirming care said reaffirming sanctuary status “literally saves lives.”

A number of speakers noted limits to what a city government can accomplish on its own. Sophie Israelson, a paralegal at an immigration law firm, called for clearer written local policies and closer coordination with Tompkins County, noting some protections depend on county social-services and law-enforcement practices.

The council’s formal action came as part of a broader consent agenda that city leaders moved and approved that evening. The mayor also told the public the city had received a memo from the U.S. Attorney General’s office threatening to withhold federal funds from jurisdictions that impede federal law enforcement — a development the mayor said city staff and legal counsel would review.

The city’s reaffirmation maintains existing city policy language; council members and multiple speakers emphasized the next step is implementation: staff and police training, clearer public guidance in commonly spoken languages, and coordination with county agencies to reduce gaps in protection.

Public response at the meeting included plans for further civic action. Several organizers urged continued demonstrations and neighborhood-level outreach to ensure community members who cannot attend meetings are informed about rights, local resources and legal help.

The reaffirmation does not change written city ordinances; instead, it restates the council’s commitment to existing policies and signals an intent to support employees and residents who rely on city-provided services and protections.

The council voted to adopt the consent agenda that included the sanctuary reaffirmation without recorded opposition.","The Ithaca Common Council unanimously reaffirmed the city's sanctuary policies amid community concern after a recent federal immigration enforcement operation. Public speakers urged the council to turn policy into concrete protections for immigrants, transgender people and those seeking reproductive care.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves consent agenda including sanctuary reaffirmation, tax-exemption changes and appointments; ethics-board vote 10-1

Neighbors press council over industrial car-wash noise, cite planning-board process failures

Advocates press council for water, services at sanctioned encampments; city names response coordinator

Ithaca council reaffirms sanctuary policies after federal enforcement action; residents press for clearer protections